On 20th anniversary, Magic discusses tough decision

Magic Johnson talks about The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV.PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LOS ANGELES – Shortly after learning he had tested positive for HIV, Magic Johnson was torn as to what he should do next. Stand up and tell the world he had contracted a deadly disease, or quietly retire and disappear from the public eye.

In 1991, the Lakers star was at the height of his career and popularity. He had helped the Lakers win five NBA championships with a sixth in his sights.

But HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, was a different sort of opponent, one that Johnson didn't know how to beat. But two women convinced him to take on the fight.

First was his wife, Cookie. The second was Elizabeth Glaser, a child advocate who had contracted HIV through a blood transfusion in 1981 while giving birth. Her disease went undetected until she and her family were tested in 1985.

"I think in the beginning it was 50-50, of course (about to go public)," Johnson said at Monday's news conference marking 20 years since he was diagnosed with HIV. "But then I talked to Elizabeth Glaser, who was at that time, dying of AIDS.

"I needed to talk to somebody who was going through the same thing I was going through to help me understand what I was in store for. So she set me down and explained what I could expect and it made me feel good mentally because it was going to be tough mentally if I had not talked to her.

"So she eased my mind and she was the one who helped me as Cookie and I decided to go public."

Glaser, who co-founded the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, died in 1994. She worked to raise awareness about HIV-infected children and spurred funding for research.

"I really want to thank her a lot for what she did for me," Johnson said. "She told me, like (HIV/AIDS expert) Dr. (David) Ho told me, that I would be here a long time. The thing she asked me to do before she died was to become the face of the disease, so I told her I would and I have."

With the right medication and a healthy lifestyle, Johnson celebrated his 52nd birthday this past summer and is the face of HIV/AIDS. Soon after retiring from the Lakers, he started the Magic Johnson Foundation that focuses on three areas – HIV/AIDS, scholarship and community empowerment centers. It currently serves more than 250,000 individuals.

Magic Johnson talks about The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Magic Johnson sheds a tear after talking about contracting HIV and retiring from basketball during a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Magic Johnson listens as his physician Dr. David Ho speaks during a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. They were commemorating the 20th anniversary of Earvin "Magic" Johnson retiring from basketball and starting The Magic Johnson Foundation. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Former NBA player and coach Pat Riley talks before a press conference for the 20th anniversary of Earvin "Magic" Johnson retiring from basketball and starting The Magic Johnson Foundation. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Magic Johnson has a laugh with his wife Cookie during a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Former NBA player and coach Jerry West mingles before a press conference for the 20th anniversary of Earvin "Magic" Johnson retiring from basketball and starting The Magic Johnson Foundation. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dr. Jerry Buss, with arms crossed, majority owner of the Lakers, listens to Magic Johnson speak during a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Magic Johnson kids Andre, Earvin III and Elisa, from left, listen as their father speaks during a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Former NBA player and coach Kurt Rambis does a radio interview before a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. They were commemorating the 20th anniversary of Earvin "Magic" Johnson retiring from basketball and starting The Magic Johnson Foundation. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The crowd listens to speakers during a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. They were commemorating the 20th anniversary of Earvin "Magic" Johnson retiring from basketball and starting The Magic Johnson Foundation. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Former NBA player and coach Mike Dunleavy talks before a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. They were commemorating the 20th anniversary of Earvin "Magic" Johnson retiring from basketball and starting The Magic Johnson Foundation. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Magic Johnson has a laugh with Pat and Christine Riley and Dr. Jerry Buss during a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Former NBA player James Worthy is acknowledged by Magic Johnson during a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Former NBA player A.C. Green, left, hugs Magic Johnson after a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Magic Johnson takes a group photo with former NBA players and coaches after a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation on Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Former NBA player and coach Jerry West talks to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong before a press conference for the 20th anniversary of Earvin "Magic" Johnson retiring from basketball and starting The Magic Johnson Foundation. Soon-Shiong is a new minority owner of the Lakers. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Former NBA players A.C. Green and James Worthy, from left, talk during a press conference for The Magic Johnson Foundation Monday at Staples Center. The foundation was celebrating 20 years of working the urban communities. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Magic Johnson is one of the few Lakers whose number has been retired. The Magic Johnson Foundation was celebrating 20 years of working in urban communities during and event Monday at Staples Center. Johnson retired in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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